Mini guide: Cheap flights to Turkey, tourism and travel info

Flights to Turkey: practical information

Regular and low cost flights to Turkey

Turkish Airlines has regular plane tickets to Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya and Dalaman from most major transportation hubs in Europe, including London. The largest and busiest airport is in Istanbul, Atatürk International Airport (IST). While it's the easiest to access, you can often find cheaper international Turkey plane tickets to its secondary airports in cities like Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman.

EasyJet is a major airline offering Turkey low cost flights from the UK to different destinations. Even from Liverpool you can fly to Bodrum. From London (Gatwick, Luton or Stansted) fly to Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Dalaman and Altalya.

When to book cheap flights to Turkey

Turkey experiences a lot of different types of climates, it's a huge country. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, which are a big lure to tourists, can be very hot but also very wet and mild. Seasons definitely affect how much tickets to Turkey cost.

Peak season: Spring and autumn, Istanbul between April and June as well as September and October. The Mediterranean, Marmara (Bodrum) and Aegean coasts are hot in summer while quite mild in winter.

Low season: Winters, when tourism practically doesn't exist.

Flight duration

Flights from London to Istanbul take just over 3h. Flights from Scotland (either Edinburgh or Glasgow) take over 3h 30min to get to Istanbul. To Ankara, expect flights from London to be around 3h 30min.

Experience Turkey: what to do, what to see

Turkey is a country of contrasts: Europe and Asia. Modernity and tradition create a unique blend of lifestyle, especially in a city like Istanbul that is buzzing with life, culture, traditions and colour. Holidays in Turkey are marked by three things: culture, relaxation and history lessons.

Essentials in Turkey

Turkey above all caters to tourists of every flavour. Relive history as Gallipoli Peninsula and visit the Anzac battlegrounds or unwind from the stresses of your day job at a traditional Turkish hamam or on the seaside.

Istanbul: While there may be more nightclubs than Ottoman mosques, Istanbul is an essential stop. Top sites: Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar and the many archaeology museums.

Hagia Sofia: The Hagia Sophia is one of the main attractions in Istanbul. The greatest Byzantine basilica was transformed into a mosque by Mehmed the Conqueror. Its monumental dome was transformed into a museum and can be visited daily. The magnificent, albeit imposing, building with its rich, colourful mosaics is something you should not miss in Istanbul.

Kaleiçi: The old town of Antalya is home to Hadrian's Gate and the Fluted Minaret of 1220. With the new cable car you can easily get to the Tahtali Mountain in Kemer where you can enjoy splendid views of the countryside.

Antalya: This is where you'll find the most beautiful beaches but also the Antalya fortress Kalesi and fascinating stalactite cave. The most recommended activity in this area is to take a Turkey car hire and cruise up and down the coasts, discovering all the hidden coves and great look out points.

USESCO sites: Turkey has seven beautifully preserved World Heritage Sites dotted around the country including, Istanbul, Xanthos, the old site of Troy, the city of Safranbolu, Hattusha, the Mosque of Divriği and Nemrut Dağ.

Accommodations in Turkey

The hotel scene in Turkey is very diverse. While many of the hotels in Turkey aren't the discount they used to be, you can still find a decent room which includes a full Turkish breakfast in the morning. In Istanbul most tourists stay within walking distance of the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace but in peak season, you can easily forget that you're even in Turkey there are so many foreigners around. For something less touristy, it is particularly recommended to look around in the Old Quarter, the ‘Beyoglu’ for accommodation.

In Turkey's seaside cities, you're spoiled with hotel and resort choices. Many hotels are located next to the beach and offer shuttle services to the airport and the city centres. If travelling during peak season, make sure you book your accommodations and your before you travel and well in advance if you're hoping to get a good deal.